Paramount Snags Falls Hottest-Selling Title 'Sept. 5,' Shakes Oscar Race (Exclusive)

In a move that will completely shake up the Oscar race, September 5The hottest selling title that played at this year's fall film festivals and awards contender across the board, comes to Paramount Pictures, The Hollywood Reporter exclusively learned.

The studio has secured worldwide distribution rights for the film — except for Germany, Switzerland and Austria, where it will be directed by Constantine Films — and will begin releasing it in the U.S. on Nov. 27, the Thanksgiving long Wednesday. Weekend, plans to bring it back in December with plans to expand its theatrical footprint and a full-fledged awards push.

Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro And Leonie Benesh stars in the director's third feature Tim Fehlbaum (the colony And the hell), a dramatic thriller about ABC Sports' coverage of the 1972 Munich Olympics terrorist attack in which Palestinian militants took Israeli athletes hostage. The resulting standoff became the first live-television coverage of a terrorist attack, with all kinds of moral and ethical dilemmas for journalists on the ground, including the legendary head of ABC Sports. Rune Earlage (Sarsgaard), the network's young coordinating producer for Olympic coverage Geoff Mason (Magaro) and a German citizen who helped them navigate the language and culture (Benesch).

Paramount's Republic Pictures has acquired worldwide sales rights for it September 5 Back in July and began shopping its US rights. Interest among distributors grew after the film premiered at the recent Venice and Telluride film festivals, drawing comparisons to past Best Picture Oscar winners. Argo And Spotlight. Ultimately, Paramount Film Group decided it was a property that should be kept in the family. It now joins the studio's already strong awards slate that includes Gladiator 2, better man And Transformers One.

The Hollywood ReporterOur review September 5described it as “an enlightening, thoroughly engaging experience” with a “terrific cast” that is “more than a time capsule about how news was conducted in the pre-digital age; it's an account that speaks to our time as well.”